Perched at the foothills of outer Himalayas in the Kumaon region, Nainital is situated in the state of Uttarakhand. Set in a valley, the place is a popular hill station, owing to its natural surroundings. It contains a pear shaped lake, surrounded by mountains on three sides. The balmy climate, wealth of natural beauty and attractions have rendered Nainital, a sought after travel and tourism destination in India. Blessed by unbound innate flora and fauna, the place has been a hot spot amongst nature lovers looking for peace and tranquility. However, the hill station provides a great deal of diversity and wins the hearts of adventure lovers as well.

Tourist Attractions

The nucleus of all tourist activity in Nainital is the Naini Lake. The reflection of the lofty peaks during the day and the twinkling lights during the night, in the waters of the lake leaves the visitors spellbound. The facilities offered at the lake comprise of yachting, sail boating and paddle boating. The colorful sails of the boats and their refection in the glistening waters, is the most eye-catching sight here. The north end of the lake is known as Mallital while the southern end is called Tallital. There is a bridge in between, popularly called as Danth with Ganhiji's statue and a post office on its sides, which is one of a kind in the world.

Naina Devi Temple is the popular shrine here, which is situated on the northern side of the lake. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Naina Devi, the manifestation of Goddess Durga and a Shakti form. According to mythological tales, it is the place where the eye of Sati (consort of Shiva) fell. Hence, the temple and the city were named as per this belief. Apart from this, one of the most entertaining spots in the city is the Zoo. Situated at a distance of one km from the city bus stand, its official name is Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo. It houses some rare Himalayan animal species and is a treat for wildlife lovers.

One of the main attractions in Nainital is the Aerial Ropeway. The ropeway operates from Mallital and connects the Snow View Point with the city Flat area. There are two trolleys to carry the passengers, which provide an exemplary view of the lake and the city. Raj Bhawan is a fascinating colonial building built by British as the residence of the Governor of North West Province. It is now used as the official residence of the Governor of Uttaranchal. Built on the lines of Buckingham Palace, the building is double storied and has 113 rooms. The sprawling gardens and other structures in the complex are a must visit for tourists.

Around 3.5 km from the city, Hanumangarhi is located at an altitude. It is a religious place and is famous for its sunset views. It has a temple, which is dedicated to Lord Hanuman along with Rama and Shiva. On the other side of the hill, Shitala Devi Temple and Lila Sah Bapu Ashram are also located. Another attraction, the Snow View Point lies at about 2.5 km from the city, which is accessible by the ropeway. As the name suggests, the place offers breathtaking panoramic views of the snow capped peaks of the Himalayas.

Located at a distance of 4 km from the city, Tiffin Top is a popular picnic spot amidst nature's splendor. The imposing figures of the mountains and the flora around are simply awe-inspiring. Here, the visitors can see the Dorothy seat, a memorial to an English lady painter Dorothy Kellet, build by her husband and admirers. In the vicinity, lies the Lands End Point, which presents the picturesque view of the neighboring hills, valley and the Khurpatal Lake. Other attractions in Nainital include Mall, Observatory, China Peak and Kilbury.

How to Reach
By Air: The nearest airport from Nainital is at Pantnagar, at a distance of 70 km.

By Rail: The nearest railhead is situated at Kathgodam, which is around 35 km from the hill station. It is the last terminus of broad gauge line of North East Railways and is well connected to key cities of the region like Delhi, Dehradun and Howrah.

By Road: Nainital is connected to different parts of the country via State and National Highways. Regular roadway buses ply from here to Delhi, Agra, Dehradun, Haridwar, Lucknow, Kanpur and Bareilly.